This
challenging deal is from the third round of the
Northern Bridge league.
Many
pairs played in six hearts, but were unable to cope
with the four one diamond break, though the contract
can be made by taking the club finesse after drawing
trumps and then conceding a spade.
The
above auction reached the winning spot. West
decided that it was quite likely that one red suit
or the other would not be breaking as South seemed
to be bidding on minimal values. He thought he
could probably cope with a bad break in one suit as
any spade or club finesses would likely be working.
On
a spade lead South played the king which meant the
contract could be made if either, but not both, red
suit broke 4-1. If hearts prove to be 4-1 West
must duck a diamond. In practice West ran the
hearts followed by the ace and king of diamonds to
squeeze South in the black suits for an
overtrick. If South had played the eight of
spades on the first round West makes the contract
with the aid of the club finesse.
On
a diamond lead West can at some point take the club
finesse and set up an extra trick in spades.
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